It was a lazy summer afternoon in Tokyo, and the
Akabeko was as busy as ever. People talked loudly as they ate and shouted for
more. Tsubame and Yahiko were out of breath running to and fro, taking orders
and serving tables and listening to impatient customers yell complaints.

"...^^; All right, all right," Sanosuke
waved his hands in defeat. Kenshin smiled.

"Have you heard?" Tae's voice took on
a lower tone as she served them water. The groups had to lean forward to hear
her. "Someone is trying to buy up half of the land around here."

Kaoru nearly spit out the water she was drinking. "Who?"

"I don't know. It's just a rumor." Tae
shook her head. "A college professor who comes here every now and then
told me that land rates have rose around here, and foreigners especially are
eager to buy a piece of it."

"They're not getting one bit from me!"
Kaoru scowled fiercely.

"Is the government protecting the rights of
the citizens?" Kenshin asked.

Tae shrugged. "Some people say they're encouraging
the foreigners."

"Dirty dogs," was Sanosuke's comment.

"Welcome!" Tae called out as another person
entered. Kaoru glanced up, then blinked. "Kenshin, look!"

"Mm?" Kenshin turned. So did Sanosuke.
So did everyone in the room. For a split second there was a lull as a girl
who looked a little older than Kaoru walked in. Her black hair was pinned up,
framing her oval face that was slightly tanned but nevertheless quite attractive.
Her sapphire eyes were lowered as if to hide something. She wore a dark red
kimono, and carried herself gracefully as she sat down at an empty table.

The noise started up again, but it was now a murmur. Kaoru cast a glance
over her shoulder. "Who is she?"

"I don't know, but she sure is pretty,"
Sanosuke drawled. "Now that's what I call a girl. Unlike some people around
here..."

"Whew ~" Sano whistled. "Sake ...
in the middle of the day. What a woman."

"Will you cut it out!" Kaoru snapped.

"Hey lady!" a gruff voice made them turn.
"Wanna join us?"

Standing over the girl was a burly man, leering at her, as she calmly
looked him over. When she spoke, her voice was low and melodious. "I
am not a geisha, but if you ask politely, I will condescend to pour you and
your friends' drinks."

"...!" Kaoru was holding her breath as she watched. The
burly man laughed in the girl's face.

"You should be honored that a man has asked you to join him!" he bellowed. The
girl's eyes flashed dangerously.

"If you please, I would like to be left
alone," she said quietly.

"You bitch!!!" The man raised his
hand to slap her. Kaoru tensed, and Kenshin and Sanosuke half stood. But the
girl was fast. She jerked back as the meaty hand came crashing down on the table,
shattering a vase.

"This is a public place," she stood
up. "Please do not disturb the meals of others."

" ..!!!" The man pulled out a sword. "I'm going to teach you some manners!!"

"Outside, then." The girl smiled sweetly and vanished
through the door. The man lunged after her.

"Let's go!" Kaoru was on her
feet, Kenshin and Sanosuke right behind her. Behind them followed a group of
curious customers who had lost their appetite.

The girl was standing underneath a tree, where she had left a small
bag ... and a katana. Everyone gasped as she unsheathed it and took a fighting
stance.

"Ha! You think you can fight me? ME?!"
the man snarled, surrounded by his gang. "Get her!"

"You cheats!!" Kaoru shouted as
they attacked. "Ten against one..!!"

Kenshin was already in the air, and
so was Sanosuke. But Kaoru hardly saw them. Her eyes were fixed on the girl.
One moment she was there, the next she couldn't be seen as she whipped through
the men like lightening. The girl calmly sheathed her sword as Kenshin and Sanosuke
made short work of the rest. Which, to be sure, wasn't much.

"Arigato," she bowed to them. Then
she walked over to Tae.

"I apologize for the disturbance." She pressed some money
into her hand.

"Wait, there's no need for -" Tae started
to protest, but the girl smiled and bowed and started to walk away.

"Wait!" Kaoru ran and caught her sleeve. "Where are you
from? Do you live around here?"

" ... Kamia ..?" she said suddenly, studying her. "Kamia
Kaoru?"

"...!" Kaoru started. "Yes, that's me. How do you..?"

"I've heard about you." She bowed. "My
name is Karen. Fujita Karen."

Kaoru returned the bow, then turned to Kenshin and
Sanosuke. "Karen-san, this is Himura -"

"That is quite some skill you have there,"
Sanosuke commented. Karen shrugged and smiled. "Arigato."

"Are you visiting Tokyo?" Kenshin asked.

" ... I'm a rurouni, so I don't think you could call it a visit."
Karen lifted her small bag and laughed. "But I think I should move on...
tarrying any longer in this neighborhood does not seem very wise after this
afternoon...."

"Would you ... would you like to stay at our
dojo?" Kaoru said impulsively. "Just for awhile?"

"Yeah, and cook while you stay!" Sanosuke
added. Kaoru glared at him.

"Well .... If it wouldn't be too much trouble
to you .." Karen, for some reason, looked a little bit embarrassed. But
Kaoru took her arm warmly.